Conference Talk:
For more information on this topic read “The Rock of Our Redeemer,” by Wilford W. Andersen, Ensign, May 2010, 16–18.
Thought:
The early [pioneer] Saints were indeed homeless, but they were not hopeless. They had learned a profound and important lesson. They had learned that hope, with its attendant blessings of peace and joy, does not depend upon circumstance. (Wilford W. Andersen, “The Rock of Our Redeemer,” Ensign, May 2010, 16–18.)
Song:
“Hope of Israel,” Hymns, #259.
Scripture:
And again, my beloved brethren, I would speak unto you concerning hope. How is it that ye can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope? And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise. Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope.(Moroni 7:40-42)
Lesson:
Tell your family you are going to play a game called “Seek.” Tell them that the object of the game is to be able to find a picture of Jesus within a certain time, and if they do they will get a treat. Ask for a volunteer to leave the room momentarily. While the family member is out of the room, hide a picture of the Savior. Invite the family member back into the room and let him or her begin searching. If the person has difficulty finding the picture, the rest of the family can help by saying “warmer” when the one seeking the picture is moving closer to it and by saying “colder” when the person is moving farther away from the picture. When the person has found the picture, give him or her a small treat or reward. You could have several family members take a turn being the one trying to find the picture. After the game, have a family member read aloud Ether 12:31-32 and 41. Ask:
How do we receive the “more excellent hope” the scripture talks about?
How can we “liken” the game we just played to what Moroni and all prophets ask us to do?
In what ways can you “seek Jesus” in your life?
Explain that Jesus Christ is the source of our hope and that by seeking Him we can gain that hope.
(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The Book of Mormon, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2003], p. 351.)
Story:
Not long ago, I visited Elder Orin Voorheis at his parents’ home in Pleasant Grove, Utah. He is a big, handsome, splendid young man who served in the Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission. One night, about eleven months into his mission, some armed robbers accosted Elder Voorheis and his companion. In a senseless act of violence, one of them shot Elder Voorheis in the head. For days he hovered between life and death, unable to speak, hear, move, or even breathe on his own. Through the faith and prayers of a host of people over a long period of time, he eventually was taken off life support and brought back to the United States.
After months of extensive hospitalization and therapy, Elder Voorheis became stronger, but he was still paralyzed and unable to speak. Progress was slow. His parents decided that they should bring their son home and care for him in the loving atmosphere of their own family. However, their modest home lacked the space or equipment to give the needed therapy. Many kind neighbors, friends, and benefactors pitched in to build an addition to the home and provide physical therapy equipment.
Elder Voorheis is still almost completely paralyzed and unable to speak, but he has a wonderful spirit and can respond to questions with hand movements. He still wears his missionary badge. Hisparents do not ask, “Why did this happen to our noble son, who was serving at the call of the Master?” No one has a certain answer except perhaps in circumstances where higher purposes are served. We must walk in faith. We recall the Savior’s reply to the question, “Who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?” The Savior answered that no one was at fault but that the works of God mightbe manifest in him (see John 9:1–3). Rather than harbor bitterness, the members of the Voorheis familybow their heads and say to the Lord: “Thy will be done. We have been grateful for him every day of his life, and with the help of others we will willingly bear the burden of caring for him.
”My purpose in visiting Elder Voorheis was to join his father, his bishop, his home teacher, and others in giving him a blessing of hope. Some may ask, “Is there hope for Elder Voorheis in this life?”I believe there is great hope for everyone! Sometimes we ask God for miracles, and they often happen, but not always in the manner we expect. The quality of Elder Voorheis’s life is less than desirable, but the influence of his life on others is incalculable and everlasting both here and in Argentina. Indeed,after his accident the Kilómetro 26 Branch, where he served in Argentina, grew rapidly and quickly qualified for the construction of a chapel.
Hope is trust in God’s promises, faith that if we act now, the desired blessings will be fulfilled inthe future. Abraham “against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations.”Contrary to human reason, he trusted God, “fully persuaded” that God would fulfill His promises ofgiving Abraham and Sarah a child in their old ages (see Romans 4:18–21).
(James E. Faust, Stories From My Life, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2001], p. 127.)
Activity:
Preparation: place several ordinary objects inside separate stockings. Items could include suchthings as a spoon, a toothbrush, a toy, a small ball, etc. Tie the top or secure with a twist tie.
Play: Give each player a pencil and paper. Pass the stockings around, allowing each person to feelthe contents. The player writes what he thinks he felt in the stocking. When all have had a turn, thecontents are shown to the players and papers are checked. Remind family members the scriptures tell us to have “hope for things which are not seen, which are true.”
Refreshment
Peanutty-Choco Jumble
1cup (6 ounces) milk chocolate chips
1cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup peanut butter
1 box (12.3-ounce) Crispix® cereal
2 cups powdered sugar
Melt chocolate chips and peanut butter in microwave or in double boiler over hot, simmering water. Pour mixture over cereal in a large bowl. Mix well. Pour powdered sugar in large brown paper bag.Add cereal mixture and shake until coated. Makes approximately 12 cups.
